Chad Cameron
Photo by Ashleigh Flynn
Chad Cameron’s earliest work was rendered in Crayola with a crude overhand technique on his bedroom walls. This expressionist body of work came to include drawings on other clean surfaces, his little brother, and a fair attempt at the family cat. This didn’t go over well with the critics.
Eventually, the critics sent him away to college where he received a BFA in Communication Arts and Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Since then he has endeavored to spend his time with flying pigs, blue space aliens and the occasional levitating cow. In 2005 he received an MFA from Academy of Art University where he is a now a part-time instructor.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I know I’m being predictable but this is true: Where the Wild Things Are and Goodnight Moon are two I distinctly recall, but there are so many.
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“On you will go though your sneakers may leak” would be in the top ten. Of course, all ten are probably also Dr. Suess!
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
I can’t be sure. I really have inspiration from so many, some in the children’s book industry, some not. Some that come immediately to mind are of course, Dr. Suess, Maurice Sendak, Lane Smith . . . but the the list goes on. I have many creative friends and family who have inspired me all along the way.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
As a kid I was really encouraged by my friends, family and teachers—to the point where I was frequently doing lots of art projects such as posters for the school play and then illustrations for the school newspaper and that sort of thing. Eventually I figured out you could sort of make a living doing this!
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Persistence is omnipotent but don’t forget to have fun and be yourself.
